The Ponce De Leon Invitational was held May 29-June 1st, 2013 at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. This was the second time the Greenbrier has hosted the Ponce –the only other venue to hold the tournament more than once is Sea Island (3x). The tournament featured the Old White Course, the home of the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic, for three rounds. Michael Aide chaired the event, where, for the first time, the tournament was contested over 5 tournament rounds. (2 four balls, 1 Pinehurst Alternate Shot, 1 Captain’s Choice and 1 Singles match play)

This year welcomed back Richard Massie to the Ponce—this will be his 8th— and includes one newcomer: Kirk Bedell. In a Ponce first: the Greenbrier’s head professional, Jamie Hamilton joined West 44 as a last week replacement for Brooks Brown, who had to withdraw due to an injury.

The winning team was comprised of Jamie Hamilton (1st title in 1st try), Jamie Rankin (3rd title), Henry Oakey (1st title in 3 tries) & Clay Thomson (1st title in 7 attempts).

In the best match of the final round, Jeremy Bird took a 1-hole lead onto the Old White’s par-3 finishing hole when a mountain gale blew 30-40 MPH winds over the course for 15 minutes directly into the players on 18. With Hamilton in with a par, Bird needed to roll in a 9 foot par putt to win the match 1 up and force the first team playoff in Ponce history with the top two teams ties at 14.5 points. When the putt was halfway to the hole, Bird’s caddy blurted out, “Great up and down to win the match.” But as the putt approached the hole, it dove left to narrowly miss. With the match halved, West 44 would win the Ponce by the tiniest of margins.

“Having the opportunity to host the Ponce for the second time was truly a privilege for all of us at The Greenbrier. For me personally, getting an opportunity to compete was an honor and test the likes of which I haven’t experienced in some time. Playing alongside this group of passionate, competitive and fun loving golfers for three days was an experience I will remember for years. We see many golf groups here at The Greenbrier but an event like the Ponce is truly unique. This group honors the history of the game, cherishes the opportunity for honest competition and celebrates friendship and brotherhood through the game of golf.

Knowing that it is no surprise they have found themselves at The Greenbrier. Charles Blair Macdonald, the patriarch of American golf course architecture and first U.S. Amateur Champion, and Sam Snead, the game’s most successful and likely most competitive golfer ever, literally and figuratively established golf at The Greenbrier on these same principles. We wish the Ponce good luck defending American soil at Sea Island versus the team from the U.K. and look forward to hosting them again in the coming years.”

Muscie chowing down with Clark Coulbourn, Scott Wnn, John Klim and Dick Massie

Keynote Speaker Robert Harris addresses the Ponce Opening Ceremony on some tales about Sam Snead’s times at the Greenbrier with Chairman Aide’s granddad.

Charity

The Greenbrier Hotel United Fund

The Greenbrier employees have been extremely hospitable to the Ponce in 2011 and 2013 and we want to show our sincere appreciation by donating $1,600 to this charitable cause. We are thrilled to be donating alongside the employees of the Greenbrier. The Greenbrier employees raise monies throughout the year via raffles, drawings and more, and the Ponce is proud to add to this effort. Each holiday season, the Board of Directors distributes the funds to local food banks and other local causes, thereby helping the neediest of the needy. The Greenbrier is a major employment center for this area of West Virginia and we hope that people that are less fortunate will appreciate this contribution. We are thankful that we are able to visit a beautiful place like the Greenbrier and equally as thankful we are able to give back to the local community.

By Michael Palmore
September 26, 2016
Many people have “an Arnold Palmer” story. That was his magic. He made everyone feel that they were the only people that had that experience. That is just one reason why he was “The King”. Over the next … [Read More...]

CHAMPIONS,AWARDS, RECORDS AND PLAYER STATS

Each year, the players compete for the Fountain of Youth Cup, MVP trophy, Spirit Award and most recently the Wooden Spoon.

Click here to learn more about who has won these titles, about the records and stats for all players.

ABOUT US

Since 2003, the Ponce De Leon Invitational Golf tournament has taken place annually all over America and once in Europe in Saint Andrews.

“The Ponce” was a story about 16 buddies and set quite a precedent. I’ve always said that The Ponce…and with the competitive format put together by Neil Thomson and his friends, is the type of trip I would like to plan one day for all of my brothers and friends. I do buddies trips, just not at Ponce level.” –Matt Ginella, Travel Editor, Golf Digest (2008)